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Criminal Minds is a police procedural crime drama created by Jeff Davis and Erica Messer. The show began airing in 2005 and apart from a short hiatus, has continued to air ever since. The show is one of the most popular series and follows a group of criminal profilers who work for the FBI as part of its Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU). Using psychology of the criminals and profiling, the team members investigate crimes and find the unsub (unknown subject) or the perpetrator of the crime. Over the course of its long airing, the show has had many cast changes. But the series has always had a strong focus on covering various crimes and focusing on the personal and professional lives of the BAU team members. There have been many memorable characters over the course of the show and here are 7 of them.
Disclaimer: The article is based on the author's opinions.
Emily Prentiss, Dr. Spencer Reid, and other best characters of Criminal Minds
7. Alex Blake
Played by Jeanne Tripplehorn, Alex Blake, made her first appearance in Criminal Minds in the 8th season. The character was an extremely knowledgeable linguist and even though she makes an appearance later in the show, she has some history with the BAU. Alex is someone who was crucial in solving the Unabomber case but she was made the fall person after a n unsuccessful case. She therefore has negative feelings for the BAU and the section chief, Erin Strauss. However, the make amends. Alex is known for her intellect and wit and she was brought back after Prentiss moved to London for an international posting. Even though Alex’s record is tarnished for no reason of hers, she has the background of a capable FBI agent and she therefore takes the reigns of the team and creates a supportive learning environment. Under her leadership, the team evolved their profiling skills as well. Alex had a background in linguistics; she therefore elevated the skills of the team and brought a new perspective to profiling. The BAU team therefore began looking at language and linguistics to find the unsub in certain cases. Alex was last seen in the season 9 finale and had to resign from the BAU because of a traumatizing incident. Her friend and teammate SSA Dr. Spencer Reid took a bullet for her in the line of duty. Alex therefore became overwhelmed with guilt and depression and therefore left the job. In conclusion, Alex Blake was a valuable asset to the BAU and brought a new style of profiling.
6. Jennifer "JJ" Jareau
JJ makes a spot on this list because she is one of the few characters in Criminal Minds, who has stayed from the beginning till the end. Played by A.J. Cook, JJ, as she is lovingly known, is introduced in the show’s first season as the communications liaison. Even though she is someone who handles the administrative part of things in the BAU, she quickly proves her worth by becoming a seriously talented criminal profiler. JJ is therefore one of the few characters who shifts from an administerial to a more procedural role in the series. While some viewers were initially uncertain about her shift from communications to profiling, JJ proved her capabilities well enough. The character has one of the most well-defined character arcs and she evolves over the course of the show. While other members remained robotic to a certain degree, JJ was dynamic in her personal and professional life. JJ quickly became a core member of the BAU team and even called Spencer Reid, “Spence”, an honor no other team member had. Even though JJ had a complicated relationship with him, JJ held a special place in the team. Not only did she grow in her professional life, but JJ also became a relatable character for working mothers. Her relationship with Will LaMontagne was highly popular among viewers and the two navigated their struggles while also raising two children. JJ therefore balanced motherhood, marriage, and a high-stress job. JJ is therefore one of the few characters to have a full personal and professional arc.
5. Dr. Spencer Reid
Played by Matthew Gray Gubler, Spencer Reid is one of the core members of the BAU team at Criminal Minds. The character was introduced in the first season and continued till the 15th season. After a break of a couple of seasons, he was again seen in the 18th season of the show. Spencer is introduced as one of the most highly intelligent profilers in the BAU. His IQ is 187 and he has an eidetic memory. Spencer’s role in the show was therefore highly interesting. While he was an invaluable asset to the team, his personal growth in terms of emotions and character, also made him a fan favorite. When Spencer first came on the scene, he was socially awkward and unsure of his own talents. However, over the course of the show, he transforms into a confident and compassionate agent. It is Spencer’s this growth, that makes him endearing to viewers. Further, spencer knows how to apply his skills and genius. He not only knows things but he also knows how to apply them to real life. Spencer is also a valuable character because he has many wholesome relationships throughout the show. From his friendships with JJ and Morgan, to his father-son dynamic with Gideon, Spencer knows how to cherish relationships. Even his more complex relationships, like the one with his schizophrenic mother is beautifully and heart-breakingly played out in the series. Spencer also suffers from a broken heart because his first love, Maeve, is murdered before they even meet each other. His other relationships are also mired in tragedy, making his love life tragic and complex. However, Spencer continued to show compassion and is therefore a highly loved character of the show.
4. Jason Gideon
Jason Gideon is the man who created BAU along with David Rossi and helmed the unit with extraordinary leadership skills and charisma. Played by Mandy Patinkin, Jason was introduced as the man who helmed BAU in the first season. Not only was he a father figure to many of the young officers at the BAU, he was the heart of the show. He guided the young Spencer Reid in the early seasons of the show and honed his genius skills to make him a shining star. Jason was someone who inculcated an environment of learning and curiosity in his team members. As a seasoned profiler himself, Jason set the tone for the BAU and handled the moral dilemmas that he and others faced in the series. He also had an innate sense of understanding the minds of the killers and therefore served as a brilliant mentor to the team. He led by example and was a risk-taker who never backed down from a challenge. Intelligent and industrious, Jason gave his heart and soul to build the BAU. However, he was also a conflicted character. Jason had multiple traumas and that was increased by the murder of his girlfriend in the second season. This led to so much guilt and trauma for the character that actor Patinkin, asked to exit the show because of the dark subject matter of his character. Even though Jason was only there in the show till the third season, he left a lasting influence that still makes him one of the most legendary profilers in the series. His exit paved the way for Rossi who handled the team in a different manner.
3. Emily Prentiss
Played by Paget Brewster, Emily Prentiss joined the show in the second season and was a replacement for Elle Greenaway. While Elle was talented but cocky, Emily had an endearing character. Even though she joined the BAU on probation, she quickly showcased her talents and abilities and proved her worth. Emily is one of the most intelligent profilers in the show and not does she have the genius to solve a case, but she is also mentally strong. While some other officers would get shaken by the cases they had to witness, Emily was level headed and calm and remained unfazed. During her probation period, she won hearts by earnestly learning from her team and proving her worth. Emily’s past background as an undercover intelligence agent, also made her the perfect fit for the job. Even though Emily is emotionally accessible and open to her teammates, she is still a complex and secretive character. She therefore has a multi-faceted personality. The character is a fan favorite because not only does she create a family dynamic in the BAU, but she also grew in her skills and confidence in the series. Emily has also been in some of the most important plotlines of the show, including the shocking plotline in season 6 that resulted in her fake death. Further, Emily has been a section chief and a unit chief, which highlights her leadership skills. She is the perfect blend of emotions and practicality and she is therefore the head of the BAU in the recent seasons.
2. Aaron Hotchner
Aaron Hotchner played a pivotal role in Criminal Minds from the first till the twelfth season. Played by Thomas Gibson, Aaron was the backbone of the BAU and served as its disciplined leader. He was known as “Hotch” and was the unit chief of the BAU from seasons 1 to 12. Aaron was a no-nonsense guy and had a stern and formidable demeanor. However, beneath his humorless nature, he cared deeply for his colleagues and his family and was even ready to sacrifice himself if the situation raised. Aaron served the BAU with the utmost duty and in the early seasons, his leadership was often contrasted with that of Gideon’s, who had a more instinctual approach. While Aaron had a more practical approach, he stayed calm and composed under pressure and was therefore respected highly by the other team members. His relationship with his son showcased his compassionate side and made him a layered character as he was a single father who struggled to keep his family afloat after his ex-wife was murdered. His personal life’s problems therefore elevated his character and added emotional depth. However, Aaron’s character was written off after actor Gibson had an on-set fight. While Gibson’s actions led to the abrupt ending of the character, Aaron proved his worth over the various seasons of the show and even when he was tortured, stalked, to dealt with his personal problems, he put up a brave front.
1. David Rossi
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Played by Joe Mantegna, David Rossie joined Criminal Minds in season 3 and has remained a mainstay since. Even though he arrived as a replacement for Gideon, he was not new to the BAU. Gideon and Rossi had created the unit in the 1970s and David was therefore an expert profiler. The character therefore joins the show and is immediately given a legendary status. While David retired and became famous for his true crime novels and a fascinating career, he decided to return and join the BAU after an unsolved case haunted him. Early on, viewers made comparisons between David and Jason’s leadership style and even though the two have a different value system and perspectives, they both are important elder members of the unit. Like Jason, David also helped the team grow under him and increased their skills as profilers. However, David used to isolate himself and did not consider the other team members’ perspectives on a case. However, over time, David grew as a character and began to appreciate the inputs of his team and even saw them as a family that he must protect. It is because David has worked as BAU member previously, that he is able to stay calm under pressure situations. Even though David had a short stint as the unit chief, he earned the respect of his colleagues and was revered by them. David has continued to give advice to his younger team members and is still an important part of the BAU. He ranks above Jason because he evolved in his personal and professional life and stayed for a longer period on the show.
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